Context:

Jannik Sinner is set to return to competitive tennis at the Masters 1000 event in Rome after serving a three-month doping ban due to traces of clostebol, an anabolic steroid, found in his system. The suspension was handed down despite the World Anti-Doping Agency's acknowledgment that Sinner did not intend to cheat, attributing the breach to negligence by his entourage. During his ban, Sinner missed several tournaments, including the Monte Carlo Masters, and was barred from attending any professional sports events, which he described as the toughest aspect of his suspension. An avid sports fan, Sinner found it challenging not to support his friends in person at various events, but took the opportunity to focus on family and mental readiness for his return to tennis. Sinner and his team expressed happiness upon his return, with his first match scheduled for May 9 following a first-round bye in Rome.

Dive Deeper:

• Jannik Sinner's return to tennis coincides with the Masters 1000 event in Rome after a three-month doping suspension related to clostebol found in his system, a substance he inadvertently came into contact with through a physio's treatment.

• The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) acknowledged Sinner's lack of intent to cheat but maintained that athletes are responsible for their support team's actions, resulting in a ban during which he missed several key tournaments.

• Sinner's inability to attend any live professional sports events during his suspension was particularly difficult, as he is a passionate football fan and missed supporting friends in cycling and motorsport.

• Despite the challenges, Sinner utilized his time away from competition to focus on mental preparations and spend quality time with his family, which he found beneficial.

• Sinner's return to the tour is marked by mixed emotions, but he and his team are optimistic and excited about re-engaging with the tennis community and competing again.

• His upcoming match in Rome, scheduled for May 9, follows a first-round bye and represents his first competitive appearance since the Australian Open.

• Joshua Mayne, the article's author, is a content producer with expertise in rugby league, motorsport, and tennis, based in Sydney, Australia.

• Jannik Sinner will return to the court this week after serving a three-month doping ban.

• The Italian has been named to compete in a Masters 1000 event in Rome – his first tournament since the Australian Open. 

• Sinner was found to have traces of clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid, in his system last year.

• The 23-year-old explained that he received a massage from the physio who had used the substance to tend to a cut on his finger.

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• In a statement released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), they accepted that Sinner "did not intend to cheat." 

• However, the governing body stated that Sinner still breached the code as "an athlete bears responsibility for the entourage's negligence." 

• Sinner accepted a three-month ban, which saw him miss events including the Monte Carlo Masters, but not any grand slam tournaments.

• The reigning Australian Open champion is pleased to be back on tour despite the "strange" emotions.

• "It’s a very strange feeling again, to be around so many people and attention," Sinner told reporters in Rome this week. 

• "But it’s nice to be back. Me and my team are very happy."

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